What the All Blacks backline will look like; Wynne Gray

Early puff of white smoke. The All Black selectors are emerging from their debate with the first test side to play Wales. Wynne Gray predicts what the selectors will be thinking in May. 15) Ben Smith: what's not to like about the world's best fullback. 14) Waisake Naholo: Has made a strong recovery from his leg injury and shown all his old pace, high workrate and defensive solidity under the high ball. 13) Malakai Fekitoa: Dovetails in so well with his Highlanders mates, improving his defensive strikes and distribution and is a lethal dynamo with the ball. 12) Charlie Ngatai: All the numbers reinforce what we are seeing out on the track. A key part in his progress has been his sustained fitness and a prolonged run at second five eighths with SBW on sevens duty. 11) Julian Savea: Showing the benefits of his intensive bootcamp and is back to a vigorous volcanic force down the left flank. 10) Lima Sopoaga: A specialist five eighths who absorbs the pressure of goal-kicking and all the heat that comes with guiding a backline and calling the shots. His partnership with Smith and other Highlanders is another plus. 9) Aaron Smith: That was as difficult as picking buddy Ben at fullback. No brainer choices to bookend the All Black backline.

Gots to find room for wee Damien ! The lumpen lumbering over-muscled gym junkie Welshman will be twisted into knots of meat!

Not sure where he get's his assessment of Savea from, we haven't seen him since he was dropped from the team. Early days yet but McKenzie most likely will get some bench time & slowly brought into the ABs. Sopoaga gets the nod IMO based on form (including kicking) but Cruden's form is very good (not counting kicking). So,I agree with Gray on the 10 selection.

"14) Waisake Naholo: Has made a strong recovery from his leg injury and shown all his old pace, high workrate and defensive solidity under the high ball. 11) Julian Savea: Showing the benefits of his intensive bootcamp and is back to a vigorous volcanic force down the left flank." this is not serious,....... what is this guy smoking? Naholo didn't make any recovery,....... he's still injured,........ let alone show his old pace and defensive solidity Savea back to a vigorous volcanic force? it will be eating mum's pies,....... coz progressing down the left flank he's been seen very little. It's too soon yet to make such an statement and leave out so many good players,...... Sopoaga's goal kicking is something important in his favour,.... but as much as to leave Cruden and Barret out? I doubt it,.... Ngatai had a fantastic game against the Force but is it enough to give him the 12 jersey? I doubt it very much also,..... Moala and Crotty are still before him IMO. What all these players will do during April and May is going to be decisive

Hmmmm . . . what does the great Justin Marshall think?

ABF, it is a strange article as it has many false statements. It only makes sense if it is a prediction of form & the authors own opinion. . Still, some are already saying Cruden has a kicking problem but my guess is he doesn't want to strain his knee just yet but will do more kicking as the season progresses. He has shown very good form in other aspects of his game, especially against the Force. Hansen has said he is impressed with Mckenzie; Ngatai as he is always encouraging players coming through but that doesn't mean a thing at this stage. , Here is a link to a ROAR article with speculation about what Hansen thinks. , http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/03/28/wrap-ngatai-mckenzie-knocking-louder-hansens-door/ , The comments of Kuruki on this article are good. He sees a real battle at loose forward / lock also. , Bottom line, I agree it is early days yet but great to see such talent perform as a minimum it will put pressure on the AB regulars.

 Savea has been dropped as hes out of shape. Naholo is out injured lol. Way to lose cred Gray. 15. B Smith 14. Cory Jane 13. Fekitoa 12. Ngatai 11. Lowe (depending on Saveas fitness) 10. Sopoaga 9. A Smith 20. Peranara 21. Barrett 22. Mckenzie

..JW ....Sitting Bull would probably say yr going abit daffy mate...much more to a 10 than just kicking goals of course.. the thing to remember about Sopoaga is the Landers backline is actually run by Ben Smith... .